Articles tagged with Microbial Diversity
Scientists have discovered that bacterial and archaea microbes primarily acquire new genes through horizontal gene transfer, a process responsible for the diversification of protein families. This study highlights the importance of this process in microbial evolution and its role in shaping the biochemical diversity of life.
The article highlights the significant impact of human microbiome on overall health, with microbes contributing to protection from disease and production of essential vitamins. Researchers are also exploring how the gut microbiome affects body weight and odor.
A study led by Howard Ochman found that host species, rather than diet, have the greatest effect on gut bacteria diversity in great apes. The researchers discovered that bacterial populations assorted to species and matched the relationships of their host, indicating a long history of co-evolution.
Researchers will investigate microbial community diversity, structure, and responses to climate change in two ecosystems. The studies could inform U.S. policy on climate change and advance the field of microbial ecology.
Research reveals that farm management choices significantly influence arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi distribution, with organic farming showing higher AMF richness. This understanding can improve crop production and promote sustainable agricultural practices to address food security and climate change challenges.
Researchers successfully reshaped the gut microbiome of rats, inducing long-term changes that could lead to new treatments for intestinal diseases. The study found that transplantation alone was sufficient to introduce new species into the intestinal microbial composition.
Researchers examine how humans impact ecosystems through nanomaterials, green roofs, and airborne microbes in hospital settings. Findings reveal altered plant growth, changed microbial communities, and diverse insect species on green roofs.
A new survey method reveals a broader and more diverse array of metal-driven chemical processes in microbes than previously recognized. The research could lead to innovative biofuels and bioremediation technologies.
Recent studies found that diverse microbial communities persist on spacecraft despite sterilization efforts. Escherichia coli was discovered to survive on Martian surfaces under shielded conditions or with thin dust layers.
A new study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences found that dormancy is crucial for maintaining microbial diversity in natural communities. Researchers used a mathematical model and molecular tools to investigate how dormancy affects biodiversity, especially in lakes.
Thomas M. Schmidt, a renowned microbiologist, has been honored with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award. He is recognized for fostering an intellectually stimulating environment and inspiring rigorous thinkers through his clear explanations.
The Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea (GEBA) project explores the vast unknown realm of microbes, sequencing genomes to advance discovery science. The initial volume reveals novel enzymes and biochemical pathways, shedding light on complex microbial processes and their role in biofuels production and bioremediation.
Researchers charted microbial communities across the human body, finding unique and diverse populations in different regions. The study suggests that personalized microbial communities vary widely from person to person and could hold key insights into human health.
A new genomic model defines microorganisms by their dietary habits, providing a tool for tracking environmental changes. The researchers analyzed the genomes of two bacteria with distinct lifestyles and developed a predictive model that successfully identified the habitats of dozens of bacterial samples.
Researchers analyzed 10 strains of Shewanella, a genus important for bioremediation, and found significant genetic differences despite similarities. The study reveals that similarity in gene regulation is a key factor in determining phenotypic similarity among closely related strains.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that two types of antibiotics can cause moderate to wide-ranging changes in the ranks of helpful guardians in the gut. The armada of good bacteria did not recover its former diversity even many weeks after a course of antibiotics was over.
Researchers found that Sulfolobus islandicus populations are more diverse than thought, with variable genomes evolving rapidly and adapting to local environments. The findings suggest a limited genetic reservoir stored in viruses and other elements, contradicting the idea of a universal gene pool.
A healthy diet is linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer due to the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. The composition of diet directly influences the diversity of microbes in the gut, with complex carbohydrates supporting good bacterial populations.
A global survey of salivary microbes found that the oral microbiome diversity among individuals is similar to that among people from different parts of the world. The study, led by Dr. Mark Stoneking, analyzed bacterial gene sequences from saliva samples from 120 healthy subjects across six geographic areas and compared them with a dat...
Scientists used a DNA array to catalog microbes in coral reefs, finding diverse microbial populations accompanying disease. The PhyloChip offers a powerful way to track change and shed light on pathogens plaguing coral reefs.
Researchers found significant differences in microbial composition among obese patients, gastric bypass surgery subjects, and normal-weight individuals. The study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a key role in energy harvesting, making people more susceptible to obesity.
Scientists discover diverse microbes that can consume hydrocarbons without oxygen, reflecting early appearance of these compounds as nutrients. Understanding their role may help access natural climate change control.
A CU-Boulder team discovered how microbial life becomes established and flourishes in extreme environments, with three species of cyanobacteria colonizing soil within the first year. The diversity of bacteria increased significantly over four years, snatching gaseous forms of carbon and nitrogen from the atmosphere.
University of Houston researchers Yuriy Fofanov and Lennart Johnsson have developed computational tools to monitor microbial community sizes and genomic diversity. Their technology aims to better understand how human activities affect microbial communities governing human health and life on Earth.
Studies reveal temperature is primary driver of oceanic bacterial diversity, contradicting productivity theories. Microbial life also thrives in Rocky Mountains, with diversity peaking just above foothills.
A recent study reveals thousands of times more bacteria on the seafloor than in the water above, with higher diversity and abundance compared to hydrothermal vents. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the deep-sea carbon cycle and the emergence of life.
Educators use candy to teach soil microbial diversity, resulting in increased student assessment scores and retained concepts. Students base characterizations on physical appearance of candies, exploring ways microorganisms can be defined.
Researchers discovered that house dust is home to hundreds of bacterial species, with those from the human gut being prevalent. The study found that indoor environments harbor diverse microbial populations, and seasonal dynamics play a role in their distribution.
The Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University School of Medicine increased its sequencing capacity with the acquisition of five new Genome Sequencer FLX Systems from Roche Diagnostics. The center will be able to support a wide variety of projects, including transcriptome analysis of individual tumors and human microbiome studies.
Scientists discovered over 37,000 new kinds of bacteria at two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, exceeding known archaea diversity by 12 times. The findings suggest that comprehensive surveys are necessary to capture the vast microbial diversity in these ecosystems.
Researchers at Bigelow Laboratory have developed a new approach to studying marine microbes, allowing for the analysis of individual unicellular organisms. The method, which uses fluorescence-activated sorting and multi-locus DNA sequencing, enables the study of metabolic capabilities and identities of uncultured microbial taxa.
A new study using global ocean samples has revealed a vast array of microbial diversity, with the largest genomic dataset ever compiled. This massive data set includes over 6 billion base pairs of genetic material from marine microbes, which have been classified into thousands of distinct families.
Scientists discover 20,000+ kinds of rare bacteria in 1 liter of seawater using new DNA sequencing tools, challenging previous estimates of marine microbial diversity. The 'rare biosphere' plays an important role in ecological processes and evolutionary history.
The study reveals a diverse population of over 60,000 genes in the human colon microbiome, including enzymes that help humans digest food. The findings suggest that bacteria in the colon co-evolved with their human host, contributing to our well-being and potentially leading to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Research by Sallie Chisholm and colleagues reveals genetic variation related to the environment in even the smallest ocean organisms. The findings suggest that viruses play a key role in transferring genes between microbes, enabling them to adapt to changing conditions.
Scientists at MIT uncover a crucial mechanism driving plankton evolution, enabling them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The discovery highlights the importance of gene diversity and exchange between microbes and viruses in shaping ocean ecosystems.
Researchers from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) will present studies on rivers' impact on the Arctic Ocean, as well as microbial diversity in a sewage-impacted estuary. Additionally, scientists will discuss how ocean particle scavenging is modulated by surface ocean productivity and nutrient quality.
Researchers sequenced DNA from microbes and viruses collected at different ocean depths, discovering thousands of new genes and evidence of frequent gene exchange. This study provides a comprehensive picture of ocean microbial communities and their interactions with the environment.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Amazonian soils support complex microbial communities, with diversity varying by soil pH and temperature. The research, led by Noah Fierer and Robert Jackson, uses DNA fingerprinting to compare microbial species diversity across North and South America.
The DOE is awarding $92 million to develop biology-based solutions to energy and environmental challenges. The funding supports six research projects that aim to harness the diverse capabilities of microbes and microbial communities to address DOE's mission needs.
Scientists confirm that bacteria follow ecological laws similar to those of plants and animals, with significant implications for medicine, agriculture, and pollution control. The discovery may allow researchers to predict fundamental diversity patterns of bacterial communities and engineer them to perform useful tasks.
A recent study published in Ecology Letters explores the complex relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function. The research reveals that both high and low levels of biodiversity can have negative consequences for ecosystem health, with intermediate levels often being the most beneficial.
The Stanford study used molecular techniques to survey the inhabitants of the lower digestive tract, finding a diverse range of bacterial species. The researchers discovered nearly two-thirds of identified bacteria were novel, highlighting the complexity of the intestinal ecosystem.
The International Census of Marine Microbes project aims to understand the diversity and distribution of single-celled organisms in the world's oceans. The project will collect data on microbial diversity, evolutionary processes, and ecological relationships, with a focus on marine microorganisms that account for 90% of ocean biomass.
Researchers have found that a species of micro-organism, Sulfolobus, has genetic differences between samples from the US, Eastern Russia, and Iceland. This challenges the long-held view that micro-organisms do not differ by geographic location.
A recent study found that genetic differentiation among Sulfolobus islandicus populations increases with geographic distance, contradicting the prevailing theory of microbial biodiversity. This discovery suggests a more diverse microbial world than previously predicted.
Researchers use DNA analysis to identify previously unknown microbe kingdoms, expanding the estimated number of microbial species to about 30. The discovery has potential applications in agriculture and ecology, including understanding soil diversity and improving sewage treatment.
The collaboration aims to extract DNA from diverse ecosystems and sequence it using JGI's capabilities. This will provide a vast resource of genetic material for scientists to study and develop new products, including pharmaceuticals, agricultural solutions, and energy sources.
Experts are exploring ways to validate and interpret genetic information from microbes in court cases. The lack of established standards poses a challenge, but advancements in molecular technology have made it possible to analyze DNA and RNA levels with new insights.
Researchers discussed potential breakthroughs in understanding Alzheimer's disease, with one expert suggesting genetic testing could aid early diagnosis. Another speaker addressed the need for public education on vaccine risks and the challenges of bioterrorism preparedness.
An international team conducted genetic tests of bacteria thriving in Antarctica's Dry Valleys, a frigid desert with no recent rainfall. The research aimed to understand how these microbes survive and shed light on the possibility of life on other planets.
Researchers from Texas A&M University embark on a voyage to understand the abundance and diversity of deep-sea microbes, estimated to number between 10-30% of Earth's biota. The JOIDES Resolution drillship samples cores containing these microbes from previously drilled sites in the eastern equatorial and southeast Pacific.
Researchers found diverse bacterial photosynthetic genes in ocean plankton, actively harnessing energy from light, revealing new types of phototrophs. This discovery has significant implications for oceanic food web models and global carbon budget management.
Researchers aim to develop new enzymes and biodegrade toxic contaminants using cold-loving microbes. They plan to build a regional biotech industry and preserve fragile environments.
Norman Pace's innovative work on microbial diversity and biochemical reactions has revolutionized the field. He is one of 23 recipients of the prestigious 2001 MacArthur Fellowship, recognizing his significant contributions to science.
The symposium focuses on microbial evolution, genetics, and ecology, shedding light on the complexity of life and its applications in biotechnology. Key areas of research include mutation mechanisms, antibiotic resistance, and plant microbiome interactions.
The Microbe-Mineral Group at Virginia Tech aims to discover conditions under which microbes release nutrients or contaminants from mineral surfaces. Researchers hope to advance bioremediation and control unwanted releases of phosphorus and other minerals.
Scientists have discovered teeming microbe colonies beneath Antarctic ice that use sunlight to sustain life when the South Pole tilts towards the sun. The researchers found diverse microorganisms, including blue-green algae and bacteria, supported by photosynthesis and atmospheric nitrogen fixation.